Part of this autumn’s Women in Jazz series, bassist Alison Rayner’s band ARQ play ‘songs without words’ and are known for their vibrant, communicative performances. Their combination of richly nuanced compositions with folk-infused grooves, skilful musicianship and a love of improvisation, creates a compelling and coherent whole.
★ Winners: Ensemble of the Year 2018 Parliamentary Jazz Awards
★ Shortlisted: Best Small Group 2018 British Jazz Awards
★ Alison Rayner Runner-up: Best Double Bass 2018 British Jazz Awards
Described by LondonJazzNews as ‘a celebration of life itself’ their music is ‘inventive, vibrantly colourful and unfailingly melodic, possessed of a strong sense of narrative and cinematic quality, frequently inspired by personal experiences’ (the jazzmann.com).
Their combination of richly nuanced compositions with folk-infused grooves, skilful musicianship and a love of improvisation, creates a compelling and coherent whole. ARQ play ‘songs without words’ and are known for their vibrant, communicative performances.
2018 was a great year for ARQ, with UK festival and club dates, successful tours of Germany and Scotland and then Winners of ‘Ensemble of the Year’ in the prestigious 2018 All-Party Parliamentary Jazz Awards.
ARQ’s profile has risen dramatically over the past five years, with extensive touring and critical acclaim for their two albums ‘August’ (2014) and ‘A Magic Life’ (2016). They have built a substantial and wide-ranging audience, receiving national and international radio play and four and five-star reviews in jazz and national press. Their 40-date ‘A Magic Life’ UK tour 2016-17 was supported by Arts Council England.
ARQ third album – working title ‘Short Stories’ – is released October 2019, with UK promotional touring Autumn 2019-Spring 2020.
Individually, the group’s track record includes work with such international artists as Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard, George Russell, John Harle, The Guest Stars, Marjorie Whylie, Sharon Freeman, Jayne Cortez, Tal Farlow and BBC TV’s Rockschool series, broadcasted in both the UK and USA.
Reviews:
‘Inspired by real-world ideas, people and situations but infused with the kind of heady imagination that transforms their resonances into a series of vivacious musical adventures’ ★★★★★ BBC Music Magazine
‘Purposeful, full-toned and melodic…a beautifully integrated band’ ★★★★ The Observer
Alison Rayner – double bass, Buster Birch – drums, Deirdre Cartwright – guitar, Diane McLoughlin – saxophones, Steve Lodder – piano
Tickets £9/7 concessions, 25 and under £5 www.ticketsource.co.uk/jazzleeds